Botanical Latin: Fusiformis
Karen Fu si FOR mis: Latin fusus meaning spindle and forma meaning shape Fusiformis is usually a specific name used to describe the spindle shape of some part of an organism.…
Plant Profile: White Yarrow (Achillea grandifolia)
White yarrow is a clump-forming perennial native of southeast Europe and a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also include daisies, goldenrod, and lettuce. The gray-green foliage is finely…
Book Review: One Bean
Megan Halsey’s book, One Bean, describes the experience of a young boy as he grows a bean. After putting it between wet paper towels the little boy sees it get…
Weeds and Their Control: Sessile Joyweed (Alternanthera sessilis)
This perennial weed is a member of the amaranth family (Ameraceae) that includes spinach, celosia, and alligator weed. It appears to be native to tropical and tropical regions of the…
Plant Profile: Rock Cress (Arabis caucasica aka A. albida)
Rock cress is an evergreen herbaceous perennial native to mountainous areas from the Mediterranean to eastern Asia where it grows in well-drained soils and full sun. It is a member…
Eupatoriums for the Garden
Eupatoriums are members of the Asteracea family and may be annuals, perennials, or shrubs. Many of the over thrity six species in the genus are wildflows in eastern US. A…
Plant Profile: Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)
Weeping willow is a deciduous tree native to northern China but widely grown in Europe and the US. It is a member of the willow family, Salicacaea, that also includes…
Book Review: The Dirt Cure
There is a lot of talk about eating healthy foods recently but the concept of healthy food seems to differ considerably. Dr. Maya Shetreat-Klein’s book, The Dirt Cure, explains the…
Plants for Rain Gardens: Native Grasses for Sunny and Wet Conditions
When choosing plants for a rain garden you have to consider not only light conditions but the moisture content of the soil. Rain gardens can have parts with 1. shallow…
Plant Profile: Longspur Columbine (Aquilegia longissima)
This rare herbaceous perennial is native to Texas and Arizona. It is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes peonies, hellebores, and clematis. The fragrant, nodding, pale…